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(No Model.)

' G. H. BABGOGK.

LUMINOUS SIGN. N0.YZ97,741. I Patented Apr. 29,1884.

V E-EEEE I D I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

GEORGE H. BABGOGK, OFIPLAINFIELWD, NEW JERSEY.

'LUMlNOUS SIGN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent, No. 297,741, dated April 29, 1884-.

Application filed April 20, 1852. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H; BABCOOK, of Plainfield, Union county, in the State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements relating to Luminous Signs, of which the following is a specification.

What are known as luminous paints, the base of one of which is understood to be mainly sulphide ofbarium, may be procured in the market, and, on being applied like any other paint, possesses the property of absorbing light during the day and giving it off during the early part of the night. I employ such paint. I produce a sign having both sides visible, formed of two sheets of glass placed back to back, with a single coat of luminous paint between the plates, each glass plate hav; ing opaque letters in any contrasting tint or shade upon its outer surface. The whole is inclosed or secured in a neat double frame.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 isa face View of a portion. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, as adapted to V be seen from both sides.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings, A and A designate the two plates of glass, and -B the intervening'coat of luminous paint.

M and M designate the letters formed on the outer faces of the glass plates, and D D the double frame in which the glass plates are secured.

My signs may be made in various sizes and in various styles of letters. The glass should preferably be of considerable thickness, to afford the desired strength; but thin glass may be used for small signs in places where the sign is not exposed to strains or concussions. During the daylight hours the light is stored up in the luminous paint, or the required molecular changes are induced in its particles, which give it the required mild radiant quality after the light iswithdrawn. The luminous effect is induced over the whole surface. It is immaterial whether those portions which are entirely concealed from view by theopaque letters over them become luminous to any considerable extent ,or not. In fact, the light produces an effect to a little distance Within the boundaries covered by the opaque letters. The outlines of my letters are consequently sharp and clear. A small quantity of light is given by the luminous paint during the last portion of a long winter night. It is sufiicient for most purposes that the letters remain visibleas black figures on the luminous surface until after midnight.

I am aware that plates of glass have been provided with characters, letters, &c., upon their faces, and protected luminous paint or the likeupon their backs,and also that glass plates have been cemented to supports, and such features are not sought to be covered, broadly, in this application.

What I do claim is-- The sign herein described, consisting of the glassplates A A, placed back to back, with a single coat of luminous paint, B, b tween the plates, the face of each plate having paque letters, and the Whole secured within the double frame D, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand, at New York city, this l7th day of April, 1882, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. H. BABGOGK. Witnesses: 1

OROSCO O. WOOLSON, CHARLES C. STETsoN. 

